There are those who like to say the NFL season doesn't begin until Thanksgiving Day.
The Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and several others wish that were true. Their seasons are done, playing out the string, waiting for 2017 with an eye on free agency and the draft.
They won't admit that's the case, but deep down they know it -- and so do their players. That's why when Sashi Brown, the Browns' executive vice president of football operations, came out last week and said it's not about wins and losses for his team this season, it shouldn't have been met with such shock.
Isn't that the truth?
Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Cowboys
| Dak Prescott showed against the Ravens that his staying as the starter was the right move. This team is riding high. | -- | 12-5-0 |
2 |
Patriots
| They won at San Francisco, but the defense still doesn't look right. They need to work out some kinks there. | -- | 4-13-0 |
3 |
Raiders
| They pulled it out Monday night against the Texans, but the defense had some issues. It needs to be better. | 1 | 8-9-0 |
4 |
Broncos
| The question as they come out of their bye is whether their quarterback situation is good enough to win a Super Bowl. Do they go to Paxton Lynch? | 1 | 8-9-0 |
5 |
Seahawks
| They are getting into playoff form. Isn't that what they do at this time of the year? | 1 | 9-8-0 |
6 |
Giants
| They've won five straight games. But how good are they? They should make it six against Cleveland. | 1 | 6-11-0 |
7 |
Falcons
| After their bye, they have to show they won't collapse again this season. I don't think they will. | 1 | 7-10-0 |
8 |
Chiefs
| That was a bad hiccup at home losing to the Bucs. The defense has had issues the past month. | 5 | 11-6-0 |
9 |
Lions
| At 6-4, they have a short week with the Vikings coming to town for a first-place battle in the NFC North on Thanksgiving. You can bet it will be a close one, since the Lions have yet to play in a game that wasn't decided by one score -- the first time that's happened in NFL history through 10 games. | 1 | 12-5-0 |
10 |
Commanders
| Kirk Cousins was playing well, which was earning him respect. Did he really have to show up general manager Scot McCloughan? | 1 | 4-13-0 |
11 |
Dolphins
| They are playing good football, winning five straight. They are definitely in the playoff race. | 2 | 11-6-0 |
12 |
Texans
| They still lead the AFC South, which is all that matters. The defense played well against the Raiders, except for a few busts. | 3 | 10-7-0 |
13 |
Vikings
| They snapped their losing streak by beating the Cardinals, but have no time to rest with a game at Detroit on Thanksgiving. | 3 | 7-10-0 |
14 |
Ravens
| They battled at Dallas, but they didn't do enough on offense. Even so, they remain in first place in the AFC North. | 2 | 13-4-0 |
15 |
Steelers
| They play a second road game in four days at Indianapolis. It's not a long trip, but they get a break without Andrew Luck likely playing. | 3 | 10-7-0 |
16 |
Buccaneers
| At 5-5, they have surprised a lot of doubters. They are only a game out of first place, but here comes Seattle this week. | 10 | 9-8-0 |
17 |
Eagles
| They didn't look good at Seattle, and now face a tough home game against the Packers, a desperate team. | 3 | 11-6-0 |
18 |
Colts
| They've won two straight and have the look of a team ready to make a push to win the division but getting a win Thursday against the Steelers will be tough with Andrew Luck likely out. | 4 | 9-8-0 |
19 |
Titans
| They just can't seem to find a way to win against the Colts. They're 0-2 against them, but get a break with Jay Cutler out this week for the Bears. | 4 | 6-11-0 |
20 |
Chargers
| They come off their bye in a must-win game at Houston if they are to have any real playoff chance. | 1 | 5-12-0 |
21 |
Bills
| They snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Bills, but they could be without LeSean McCoy this week. That will hurt. | 4 | 11-6-0 |
22 |
Packers
| Can they it turn it around? It doesn't look like it with that defense. | 5 | 9-8-0 |
23 |
Panthers
| That was a season-saving victory against the Saints. But they still have a lot of work to get back to the playoffs. | 1 | 2-15-0 |
24 |
Bengals
| You have to think they will have a new coach next year. The 3-6-1 record is a major disappointment for a talented team. | 1 | 9-8-0 |
25 |
Saints
| That was a tough loss last week at Carolina. They can't afford any more missteps. | 5 | 9-8-0 |
26 |
Cardinals
| They are 4-5-1 and hardly look like the team they were a year ago. They are almost done. | 5 | 4-13-0 |
27 |
Rams
| It was the right move to start Jared Goff, but they have to expect growing pains. Why not let him throw it more down the field? | -- | 10-7-0 |
28 |
Jets
| They come out of their bye with little hope of making a playoff run. So why not play young kid, especially at quarterback? Instead it's Ryan Fitzpatrick again. | -- | 7-10-0 |
29 |
Bears
| Injuries have crippled this team, but they battled at New York. That means they haven't quit. | -- | 7-10-0 |
30 |
Jaguars
| They make too many mistakes to win games, which has been a season-long problem. There is a young talent base for the next coach. | -- | 9-8-0 |
31 |
49ers
| They showed some fight against the Patriots, but they just don't have a lot of talent. | -- | 12-5-0 |
32 |
Browns
| They aren't winning a game this season. Take it to the bank. | -- | 11-6-0 |